Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“And then?” she asks.
“And then I contained the scene of the accident and did my job.”
“You’re leaving out the part about when you talked to a woman—who, from what Pearl says, is sweet—like she was a dog.” I listen to her let out a deep breath. “Boy, you do my head in.”
“So you’ve been saying since I can remember.”
“I know I raised you better than that, Calvin Miller. And I’m telling you now that you need to apologize to that girl.”
“Mom, I’m not going to apologize for doing my job.”
“No, you’re going to apologize for being rude to her.”
“I’ll get right on that.”
“I’m serious, Calvin Drake Miller. You better apologize.” She doesn’t shout, but I still know she’s serious by the tone of her voice.
“Fine. Are we done?” I stand and pick up my badge, clipping it back on my belt, then grab my keys.
“Yes. Now, are you still coming over for dinner tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there,” I agree as I walk out to the main room of the station, lifting my chin to a few other officers as I pass them on my way toward the exit.
“Good. I’ll see you at six. Maybe you can invite Anna. That’s her name, by the way. Pearl said she just moved to town and is working at the Sweet Spot. Maybe you can stop by there tomorrow and invite her to dinner.”
“I’m not inviting her to dinner.”
“Why on earth not?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say, ignoring her question.
“Invite her to dinner.”
“I gotta go, Mom.”
“Fine, love you. Talk to you tomorrow.” She hangs up, and I shove my phone into my back pocket, then walk out of the building toward my truck, parked on the street. I get in, start the engine, and head through town.
When I reach my place, I get out and head through the gate and up the front walk. I hear Bane bark as I get close to the front door. The barking stops as I put my key in the lock, and then, just like always when I arrive home, Bane greets me, circling my feet as I shut the door and then flip on the light.
“Hey, boy.” I rub the top of his head and sit to take off my boots. I then give him a rubdown before I get up and head for the kitchen. I go to the pantry for his food and fill his bowl, then walk to the fridge, grab a beer, and then take a gulp before looking for something to heat up for dinner. And like I’ve done every night for the last five years, ever since the woman I thought I was going to marry walked away because she was unable to handle my career as a police officer, I eat while watching TV, then go to bed alone, with only my dog to keep me company. But for the first time in five years, I wonder if it’s fucking time to put myself out there again.
Suggestion 2
SAY NO, EVEN IF YOU WANT TO SAY YES
ANNA
“You know if Gaston comes in and sees what you’re doing, he will lose his mind, right?” I ask Chrissie—my boss, the owner of the Sweet Spot, and a woman I now consider a friend.
“What Gus doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She grins, and I look at her stomach, which has grown considerably over the last few months, and the large bag of flour she’s dumping into one of the plastic storage containers.
I walk to her and take the bag, ignoring her grumbling as I take over. “I’m pretty sure he’s installed cameras in here just to make sure you’re not overdoing it.” It’s a joke, but in all honesty, I wouldn’t put it past him to have done something like that. He’s very protective of his wife, and his protective nature only seems to have grown since she got pregnant.
“I would kill him,” she says, looking around like she’s searching for a hidden camera. I smile, then glance at her when she asks, “How was your day off yesterday?”
“Good—just a normal day, except I went to go play bingo with Edie, and on the way, she got pulled over, then accidentally hit the cop who pulled her over.”
“What?” Her eyes widen.
I set the bag of flour down and lean against the counter. “It was a mess. She checked her side mirror but not the blind spot, so she didn’t see that he had pulled out until she’d sideswiped him, and by then it was too late. Now she has to go in front of a judge to see if she should still be allowed to drive.”
“I’ve heard rumors she’s a menace on the road.”
“I’m not sure those are rumors. Still, I hope things work out. It’s going to be difficult for her if her license is taken away.”